AENEAS (STERN SECTION)(POSSIBLY) - Cornwall & Devon

When we talk about deep wrecks off the UK coast, the Aeneas stern often comes up. It's a real challenging dive, heading down to 60m, so this is definitely one for the experienced trimix crowd. Dropping onto that massive stern section, you're immediately hit by the scale of it. The plating is still largely intact, and you can pick out the huge rudder and propellers, often wreathed in dead man's fingers and anemones. We love how the light fades as you descend, making the steel structure even more imposing. Exploring the Aeneas is all about appreciating the sheer bulk of a liner brought down. You can spend a good chunk of bottom time just circumnavigating the stern, imagining the power that once drove this ship. Keep an eye out for conger eels peering from dark holes and schools of pouting darting through the superstructure. The currents here can be a bit lively, so good dive planning and navigation are essential. It's a proper British wreck dive, cold, deep, and utterly rewarding for those who make the effort.

Location
Cornwall & Devon, United Kingdom, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
50.110233, -2.844378
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
60m

Wreck History - AENEAS (STERN SECTION)(POSSIBLY)

Year Sunk
1940
Vessel Type
passenger ship
Cause
bombed
Tonnage
10,058 GRT

The SS Aeneas was a substantial passenger liner built for the Blue Funnel Line in 1910. Her career came to a violent end on July 2nd, 1940, when she was attacked by German bombers while sailing in convoy off the Devon coast. The damage was catastrophic, and though she remained afloat for two more days, the ship broke apart and finally sank on July 4th, her hull splitting into at least two major sections.

This wreck site is believed to be the stern section of the once-majestic liner. Lying in 60 meters of seawater, it is an even more challenging dive than the main hull, demanding trimix certification, meticulous planning, and experience with deep decompression diving. The reward is a view of an imposing structure, sitting upright on the seabed. Divers can clearly identify the ship's distinctive counter stern, rudder, and propellers, offering a powerful and poignant glimpse into the liner's final moments before she disappeared beneath the waves.

Marine Protected Area: East of Start Point

Best Time to Dive in Cornwall & Devon

The warmest water temperatures in Cornwall & Devon occur in January, averaging 9.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 9.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 9.6°C (air: 7.3°C)
  • February: 9.6°C (air: 8.4°C)
  • March: 9.6°C (air: 8.6°C)
  • April: 9.6°C (air: 10.1°C)
  • May: 9.6°C (air: 12.6°C)
  • June: 9.6°C (air: 15.2°C)
  • July: 9.6°C (air: 16.6°C)
  • August: 9.6°C (air: 17.1°C)
  • September: 9.6°C (air: 15.9°C)
  • October: 9.6°C (air: 13.5°C)
  • November: 9.6°C (air: 10.7°C)
  • December: 9.6°C (air: 8.7°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cornwall & Devon

Nearest Dive Centres to AENEAS (STERN SECTION)(POSSIBLY)

Marine Life in Cornwall & Devon

Home to 192 recorded species including 93 reef fish, 18 sharks & rays, 13 whales & dolphins, 11 crabs & lobsters, 11 other, 10 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for AENEAS (STERN SECTION)(POSSIBLY)

Based on average water temperature of 9.6°C.

  • Drysuit - water at 10°C demands a drysuit with thermal undergarments
  • Hood & Gloves (7mm+) - critical to prevent heat loss
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories